Research data

The data that we focus on in our project are the characters that appear in the texts we are analysing, and connections between these characters as described by the texts' authors. Genders are recorded as either M (male), F (female), V (varied = groups with, or potentially with, mixed genders), and X (unspecified - e.g. angels and spirits).

We gather our data through close reading of the texts in their original language, using the most up-to-date critical edition; we do not use GenAI.

Our datasets will be made available online in a digital repository later in the project. To learn more about our preliminary findings, check out our chapter, ‘Female Voices in Universal History’, in The Oxford Handbook of Universal History Writing.

The texts analysed, arranged chronologically, are as follows:

Latin world chronicles (arranged by date of termination)

• Eusebius-Jerome (378)
• Sulpicius Severus (400)
• Prosper of Aquitaine (455)
• Hydatius (468)
• Cassiodorus (519)
• Marcellinus Comes (534)
• Isidore of Seville, Chronica Maiora (626)
• Isidore of Seville, Chronica Minora (627)
• Fredegar (642)
• Bede, De temporibus chronicle (703)
• Bede, De temporum ratione chronicle (725)

Narrative-based histories and hagiographies

• Stephen, Vita Wilfridi (c. 715)
• Bede, Vita Cuthberti (c. 720)
• Bede, Historia ecclesiastica gentis anglorum (731)

Modern studies

• M. Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (1943)
• Whitelock, The Beginnings of English Society (1952)

Data visualisation

Part of the project output will be a data dissemination tool to share GENCHRON’s findings, created by the PhD student. This online tool will be publicly available and linked here at the end of the project.